Two Alive, стр. 74
Johnathan spotted the bathroom to his left. “Go to the bathroom! Go!” He scooped up Miles and carried him as Antonio sprinted beside him.
Johnathan pushed the door open, shoved Antonio inside and threw Miles to the floor. The old man slammed the door shut, feeling certain he had just doomed them to death. It was nothing but a stall and a urinal inside a closed box, but Johnathan still jammed himself against the door and locked it. Bodies started to slam against the door outside. Antonio roared and ran to help the old man, and they both pushed against the door. Miles, with tears running down his face, still listening to Silly, ran to help Johnathan and Antonio.
Somehow the door stayed shut against what felt like a storm of violent beasts that hungered for blood and carnage.
The door stayed closed for two days. And for two days Miles listened to the music on Ms. Francine’s phone. The old man also used it to watch news reports about what was going on around the world until Miles would start crying to get the phone. Everything was going to hell. Antonio cursed the government. Cursed the world. Cursed God. The old man often had to calm him down.
When the network went down and the internet stopped working, the battery life stretched longer, and Miles was able to listen to every song in Ms. Francine’s phone until the battery died. He listened to the whole playlist at least twice. Every song except Silly. Miles could never listen to Deniece William’s Silly again.
On the second day inside the bathroom, Johnathan pulled open the door, prepared to face whatever was outside. His stomach was empty, and Miles and Antonio were complaining about food every other hour. No more infected beasts were outside.
Johnathan took a deep breath, uncertain of what to do next or where to go, but he was sick of this public bathroom. He turned to the boys and said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Chapter 7
Present day—
The next morning at the Costco, Carver and all the other members of the committee held a gathering in the food court to address the community. Lesly, wearing a fresh washed uniform that she ironed this morning, stood in front of the audience with a fresh coat of maroon lipstick and a big smile. This would be an important announcement, so she wanted to show everyone she meant business.
“Good morning everyone. Thank you all for coming. I hope the breakfast was good. Thank you again to the Gonzalez family and their chickens for providing us with fresh eggs this morning. Muy gracias to the Gonzalez fa-mil-lee-uh.”
Lesly and the other members of the community applauded the small Puerto Rican family sitting together in the back of the food court. The father with the handlebar mustache just waved his hand.
The store manager continued in her high-pitched voice, “Well, I know all of you are here to find out more about yesterday’s incidents. The large mob of infected, the soldiers we lost protecting the community and the two new boys who came into the store.” She turned slightly and motioned to the brothers standing behind her, between the grizzled Major Carver and stoic Captain Baker. “Well let me reassure you that the freaks outside are long gone and it’s all thanks to Captain Baker and his men. We thank the captain and his soldiers for their courageous… noble… and honorable sacrifices.”
With more gusto, Lesly started another applause break and many of the community members gave a similar response. Captain Baker looked anxious about receiving the accolades and averted his eyes from the crowd.
The store manager waited for the clapping to die down then continued, “Many of you have heard, however, we lost two of our soldiers when they went out to fight off the monsters. Ryan Bates and Chris Anderson. The two men risked their lives to save not only us… but also these two scared, young boys who were lost in the woods. Ryan Bates was bit by one of the infected freaks and although he seemed fine… Dr. Manson examined a blood sample that revealed Ryan was carrying the virus.”
“So those kids killed him cuz he was bit?” A voice cried out from the audience.
“Was he gonna turn?” A second voice shouted up.
“They killed him! Those boys killed Bates, the major said it!” The third voice was followed by shouts of support.
“Please, everyone please.” Lesly tried calling out over the murmuring of the crowd but her shrill voice was timid and smaller than the back and forth coming from the people.
Carver stepped forward and with a boom he said, “Captain Baker made the call!” The major let the chatter fade off to whispers, then to silence, then he continued. “In the desperate situation they were in, the captain made the call to kill Ryan Bates before the infection took him over. After we reviewed the footage of what took place outside, we saw that it was Captain Baker who shot Bates as he was turning and about to attack one of these children. It was a split-second decision. I myself was shocked because I was certain that this child had killed Bates. But it was the captain, with his lightning fast reflexes when he sensed the danger.”
Baker shifted his weight and swallowed hard, feeling his mouth go dry. All the eyes in the food court turned to him and he was uncomfortable with the attention.
“Who are they?” A voice cried out.
Another voice followed with, “Where did they come from?”
“Everyone, please. Try to remain calm.” Lesly went back to working the stage that was the center of the food court. “These two boys were just scared children, out in the woods with nowhere to go. We